User Reviews

Wide selection of beer by the case. Not being familiar with Pennsylvania laws was surprised that all purchases for case only. Had a good array of beers from all other the country. Definitely something for everyone and something for even the most discerning. Will return the next time in Lancaster.

Highly impressed by the selection-didn't know it was there until I was talking to people at an event and they were saying great things about it. It's in the Savemart plaza and had passed it so many times. Glad to know that they are there now-will be a new "regular." They mentioned having beer tastings that they will be starting once a month so I will definitely be checking those out too. Great store for Lancaster. I talked to a guy that worked there named Jason I think and he really knew his beers. Could have spent way more time there-will definitely be back soon.

I just found this place by accident around Christmas time and I am glad that I did--WOW! They had a great selection and everyone there seemed to know exactly what they were doing and could actually answer my questions. When I told them about a certain beer that I liked, they were able to recommend some others that I might also like and they were right. They were already sold out of Mad Elf, but found out that everyone sells out of that fast, so I will have to make a note to get in earlier next year. I left my e-mail with them and they said that they will let me know when it is in. Another bonus!
What a shame that I didn't know that they were there before-I will definitely be coming back.

First time visiting this place. Until recently, I didn't even know it was there. Nice looking store, compared to most distributors. Large and spread out with a large walk-in cooler. Decent selection of micros and imports. Troegs, Appalachian, Lancaster, Stoudts, and Weyerbacher are well represented. Some non-locals; Bells, Terrapin, Founders, Ommegang, Stone, etc. Most beers have the prices displayed on the racks, which is helpful. Prices are marked up pretty high. For example, Two Hearted Ale and Troegs Mad Elf are $45 and $67, respectively. In comparision, Wheatland's prices are $40 and $50. Service was of the standard ''stand behind the counter and take your money'' variety. Nice place but prices could be more competitive.

I was in Lancaster for a wedding and utilized the BA beerfly reviews to narrow down my choices of beer stores - this place was pretty good. The service was great! I stopped in on a Sunday shortly after they were open. There was no one in the store and only one employee on duty, so I was able to pick his brain about PA beers and what I should purchase to "bootlegged" back to Boston. He showed me all the PA beers and recommended a couple of out of state brews. Thanks Jeremy!
The quality of the place and the inventory looked good. Clean. Well organized. Some of the shelves were empty thus indicating they had turn over. Unfortunately this was too true, because I was at the end of a shipment and the next one was coming... yup the next day long after I was out of town. Doh!
With that said the selection was decent. The pricing was alright. I felt like it was a little overpriced, but I felt like that was the case for the other places in PA I had already stopped.
Side note: PA laws - consumer can only purchase cases? Odd. Doesn't make sense and I am sure it limits the branching out and trying of new beers. 24 bottles is a big commitment to try a new beer. And it doesn't seem to have anything to do with alcohol's faux pas because you are buying 24 beers instead of 6 pack. Weird. Who's the congressman/woman we need to write?

Keep your eye on this place. I was just in there for the first time in a couple of years today, and their selection has improved greatly. Their prices are a little on the heafty side, but if you are looking for a decent selection of American crafts and foreign imports, I think you will be surprised. The guy working there told me that in a couple of weeks, they should be getting a lot of new crafts in...i.e. Stone, Slyfox, Allagash, Ballast Point, etc. They have teamed up with Westy's in Harrisburg.

Note: I try to do all my distributor shopping at the Brass Rail in Campbelltown. It's a bit of a drive but 100% worth it. Having said that, this place is much closer to me and they do a fine job.

Everyone here has always been friendly, one guy in particular whose name I don't know is talkative and knowledgeable. There isn't much variation in prices form distributor to distributor in PA, so the prices are fine here. The selection surprised me the first time I came in. The usual local suspects like Troeg, Stoudts, Lancaster Brewing, Weyerbacher, Victory, etc. are all here. I was excited to see Founder's and Middle Ages as well.

I live in Lancaster Pennsylvania and there are very few good places to buy good beer. The best bet is a six-pack shop but still its pretty tough. This is a PA beer distributor; which means that they only sell beer in full cases, so you really have to want a case and know what you want. Beer distributors around here (as a rule) have a very poor selection! But that being said; this is one that is better than average in this area. They are most knowledgeable (really one of few that are more than partially intelligent) and by far the most helpful. They are willing to special order a case for you. Also, if you call, they'll pull out what you want and have it waiting for you to arrive. But their selection is still very limited; even at the one of the best in Lancaster. They mostly carry Macro-brews with a few micros here and there. The best selection you will find in this area is at Wheatland Distributors, but this is not a bad choice if theyve got what you want. The best thing about the Beer & Beverage Shoppe is getting special orders, IF they can get it.

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EDIT
I have since found the absolute best place Ive seen in PA is The Beer Yard in Wayne.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1347/
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A pleasant surprise! Stepped in tonight for the first time, and grabbed a case of Penn Pilsner, which apparently has just recently become available east of the Susquehanna. Basically, I agree with everything that the previous reviewer says. The fellow running the place was very friendly and helpful, and the selection was very good, at least by Lancaster County standards. (Please note that a 4.5 rating for a PA beer store should not be construed to mean that this place will compare favorably to a store in a less medieval state.) Very nice to see two Ommegangs -- though unfortunately not the otherworldly Hennepin saison -- on the shelves. Recommended.

First of all, you have to remember that Pennsylvania is the most backward state in the country with respect to alcohol purchases, so comparing a beer store in PA to one in another state is difficult. This store opened about a year ago. In PA a beer store can only sell cases of beer. This store has a nice selection of micro brews at acceptable prices. There stock is very fresh (partly because they only recently opened) The store is kept extremely clean and they seem to have a good turnover of product. They are very helpful and will attempt to order products that they did not carry if requested. The prices are in line with other stores in the area, and they often have some good specials (this week Stoudt's APA for under $20 a case. They have weekly beer tastings but these seem to be mostly Macro samples (at least the times I've been there). This is a nice store with friendly, helpful people.